Stay Calm on a Tough Day with Stress Busting Breath

Some days, life is tough from the get-go. Anxiety and stress can build up so much that you're left feeling vacant, empty, and just plain worthless.

Some days the weight of the world is just too heavy.

And when it all builds up, it can feel like life is enjoying watching you struggle, as you feel like you've been handed one shitty hand after another.

It's easy to feel drained, angry, and sad when things don't go smoothly. It's even easier to look for someone or something to blame. Someone I love dearly likes to proclaim, "God is laughing at me!" when he's having a bad day.

The truth that many of us forget is that no one can make you feel any certain way. 

While outside forces may have a great deal on the mood that we outwardly project, every feeling we display is a choice of our own.

The happiest people in the world don't have perfect lives filled with rainbows and butterflies, they've just made the decision to be happy.

The trick is taking control over these feelings and consciously deciding whether or not to let them affect your mood. Sure, someone cut you off in traffic--but how will getting angry and yelling at that person affect the situation? You'll get yourself more worked up, leading to more anger, more anxiety and continue on a downward spiral.

So how do we face stress, anxiety, sadness, and anger head-on with a smile on our faces?

Practice the following breath for 2-5 minutes, or until the stress has subsided. 

Stress Busting Breath

Find a quiet place where you can close your eyes and find silence for a few minutes. Take a seat or lie down. Close your eyes. Place hands on the belly, chest, or relax them at your sides. This breath will be practiced through the nose.

• Inhale deeply into your belly for 4 seconds
• Hold that breath in for 4 seconds
• Exhale completely for 4 seconds

Each time you exhale, think about attaching any heavy or negative feelings to that breath and invite softness to replace those points of tension. As you practice this breath over time, see if you can begin to extend the inhale, adding one second on each few breaths. See if you can gradually work your way up to doubling the duration of your exhale as compared to your inhale. 

When this breath is finished, come back to your normal nasal breath and rest for a few moments before you return back to "the real world." Set an intention that will help you maintain this feeling for the rest of the day, such as I am happy, I am well, I am peaceful (credit to Bhante Sujatha for this mantra) or something of the sort. 

Each time you feel your calm self being compromised, come back to this mantra, and back this breathing exercise if necessary. 

Be calm, be happy, be peaceful. You deserve to enjoy your life and live it in a happy manner, no matter what the circumstances.